I provide commentary on political economy, police and prosecutorial abuse, and whatever else might come to mind.
Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24 (ESV)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Updates: The Outrages Continue

It seems that Facebook and The Man are an everlasting fount of outrageous behavior. Last week, Joal Henke's wife, Sarah Bass Henke, claimed that she had given investigators some information about her alleged concerns. That information, it seems, was not available at discovery, which means one of two things:

The prosecution had it, but did not give it to the defense, which violates open discovery policies of the State of Georgia, or

They did not have it at all.

Given the behavior I have seen by the prosecution, either one is believable. However, today A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES HAPPENED. (Where is the "Fiddler on the Roof" when we need him to play a diddy for this miracle?)

But it gets even better. Yes, "forensic therapist" Holly "Thumbs Up" Kittle now is on the stand. In case you don't remember her, Kittle is the person who gave the "I like it" thumbs up to Chris Arnt's Facebook post that violated the codes of conduct for prosecutors. Furthermore, by signing on to that post, Kittle committed an act that in many states and in real courts of justice would disqualify her from testifying at all, or at very best, her testimony could be impeached.

But, then, we are in "Judge" Brian House's courtroom, where the judge already has been caught on videotape having a conversation he does not want revealed with a bailiff, and who held an ex parte discussion on the telephone with a prosecution witness two days before she testified, but he did not notify the defense.

Kittle's testimony reveals the same shoddy "investigative" procedures that everyone else involved has been performing. From Callie Starnes on Twitter this morning, we get some little snippets:

This witness seems to think it is very funny that she doesn't know about research defense is citing.

Witness had been a forensic interviewer for just a few months before conducting interview w/ accuser 1

Kittle is already getting snappy w/defense. It's amazing to see how the state's witnesses develop an attitude just a few ?s in.

Witness just rolled eyes for all courtroom to see.

Kittle being asked if girl's robotic tone of voice when answering ?'s about abuse raised any red flags. She says no.

In other words, the attitude is: How DARE you even talk to me!

Think about it. Every time there is a child molestation accusation in the Lookout Mountain Judicial District, people like Kittle are the ones doing the interviews, and not a one of them is qualified to do this kind of work. Furthermore, as we can see, they are arrogant and go into interviews not trying to find out what happened, but rather come into them having already made their conclusions. Thus, they believe their job is to pound square pegs into round holes and bamboozle jurors.

That these kinds of dishonest and incompetent people are permitted to be part of a judicial and prosecutorial apparatus that throws innocent people into prison is an outrage that will not end when this trial is over.

I have a friend who was called for jury in Tonya's case. However, he did not get selected. However, they told him to stick around bc their were 4 more child molesation trials coming. Then they sent him home. My question is their a child molesation epidemic in catoosa county?

From what I've been told (someone who was there on Friday), the jury's reaction is obvious. They apparently are noticing and reacting to the the witnesses' behavior with signs of disbelief. Thank goodness!!!!

Please don't tell me Holly Kittle is another witness from the Childrens Advocacy Center. I work with the Advocacy Center here in Chattanooga and I personally believe the employees here are equipped with better qualifications and morals. My concern is the reputation of this wonderful giving organization in Chattanooga being associated with the tactics of the group in GA. Shameful! The bigger concern is a woman wrongfully accused and these people may be part of the reason she could possibly be found guilty.

I think it is interesting how non of the "evil ones" (to use their words) post during the trial times....hmmmm....maybe they are too busy being locked inside the witness room with no computer access? Frankly, Bill, I can't believe Sandra hasn't called screaming at you yet. That psycho has screamed at 90% of Catoosa and Walker Co. already.

If you're the father of an alleged child molestation victim, why would you not want to prosecute? Seems to me that this is the father that the p.i. spoke with that said he didn't believe the allegations. It's sad he is having to go through this. Hopefully the defense will get the truth from him. He seems like the weak link for telling the truth. This is all really sad.

I was in the courtroom this morning up until they broke for lunch. The video of the interview was interesting. It sounded like the little girl was reading for a part. She was so casual about the whole conversation. It was really weird. I expected some sort of emotion, anger, crying, sadness, something. She just colored and talked like it was no big deal. As far as this "expert" witness, she has a BA in Anthropology. She performed under supervision autopsies. She took a 5 day course called "Using Words" or something like that, for interviewing children. She was "certified" in February 2009. Was hired at the center March 2009. Worked for a month before interviewing the child. The witness claimed to have interviewed over 250 children. In, at the most, 2 months? I find that hard to believe. She couldn't cite one single piece of research either way on any studies on child abuse. She was a regular smart a@@ to the defense. She was saying "I don't know" 90% of the time to the defense questions. Sometimes before the defense had even asked the question, she was saying "I don't know". As far as the notes, I was "shocked" when they came out. Prosecution claimed to have gone through many boxes over the weekend and finally found it. I am not sure about boxes, state only had 6 or 7 there. Defense had at least twice as many. In the end, the defense made the "expert" witness look like a fool.

Dad confirms that is what his daughter said in tape. #TonyaCraft 20 minutes ago via web Reply Retweet Nosie_Rosie Dad of alleged #TonyaCraft victim says he didn't want to be involved in prosecution but was told he had no choice. 20 minutes ago via web Reply Retweet calliestarnes Defense attorney says he believes girl in tape says, "my mom told me which is which and where they touched me" #TonyaCraft 21 minutes ago via web Reply Retweet calliestarnes A clip of daughter's interview is going to play in courtroom. Dad handed a copy of the transcript. #TonyaCraft

(How can he stand to be in the same house with his wife??? Seems like a decent dad hope he divorces her and gets custody of the kids. IMHO)

The father seems like the most compelling witness presented so far. However, all his testimony amounts to is hearsay, not evidence. He feels his daughter is telling the truth about the abuse now, but still there is no evidence.

Still sounds to me like a case of sexually precocious children experimentation and when caught look for a means to deflect the blame.

I think the defense could not bring up more about the p.i. because of the prosecution's "obstruction of justice" case against him, he can not be a witness & House, during pre-trial, said that anything he collected could not be used as evidence.

I am glad the defense asked him about the p.i. though. It's another case of perjury and puts the state & House in more trouble when all is said & done. The defense is very smart on knowing what they can & can not get away with in this courtroom. Yea!!!

Ok everyone, I don't remember who suggested this, but I have e-mailed the O'Reiley Factor (excuse my spelling, I am very spell check dependent) and CNN. I saw in an earlier comment on this blog that perhaps Tonya will get national coverage!!! I think that is awesome, I did not e-mail Nancy Grace because like many of you I think she is the anti-christ and that could do more harm than good. I have also sent more than 25 letters, along with approx 30 e-mails to various people at the state bar association, attny general, gov, and judicial disciplinary something (can't remember exactly what the name is right now LOL) I encourage/challenge everyone who sees the travesty going on in this case to do the exact same thing. I also called the state bar association and spoke with a very friendly lady told her my story (as passionately as I could) and was shocked at the response I got... She gave me a LOT of information as to who to contact and how... If these agencies get enough letters and phone calls they are going to have to do something!!! Let's help this woman!!! I don't know her personally I only have met her once through a friend of a friend!!! No more than anyone else!!!

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, a one-time rising star and Detroit's youngest elected leader, was charged Monday with perjury and other counts after sexually explicit text messages contradicted his sworn denials of an affair with a top aide. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy also charged....

Why does the national media need to be involved? The local media needs to ball up and start yelling on the evening news what is going on. Bill O'Reilly unfortunately would not cover this as he is a poster child for the CAC type people.

People have contacted ALL of the national media organizations repeatedly. Tonya herself went to these studios in NYC etc. and they wouldn't give her the time of day. Nancy Grace said she was guilty. I promise, we've tried and will keep trying to get Tonya the exposure she so desperately needs. National media (though, I've heard differently about NBC today not sure if it is true or rumor) said they'd get involved if she is convicted (of course.)

The reason I think the national media needs to get involved is that the local media is in direct competition with each other. Where channel 3 is clearly pro Tonya, channel 9 is not, the have portrayed her as guilty from day one. In my opinion they it is essentially the same as my husband and I going to vote and one of us voting yes and the other voting no. It's counterproductive. It's not that I don't think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just feel that this is bigger than local coverage, she needs more help than that, something/someone to draw attention to these crooks, that's all.

The reason the national media needs to be involved is this, they do not have to be around these yayhoos on a daily basis. As Bill has said in prior posts, even though the media is supposed to be here for the purpose of checks and balances, it mostly finds itself at the mercy of the local sheriff's depts, pd's, DA's & Judges. If they don't play nice, they don't get any story. Now, Channel 9 just makes everything up, so they are completely unreliable. On this particular case, Channel 3 is actually calling out the state, so I am proud of them. Channel 12, not really showing up.Basically, if the national media gets involved, they can report the truth and call these people out for what they are doing without fear. It is kind of embarrassing, once again, but I believe it is needed this time.

I feel like the character assassination is really getting out of hand here on all fronts. I truly believe that Tonya is innocent of all charges, but let me tell you something about Jerry McDonald. This is a guy who has dedicated his life to the saving of others. I promise you if you were laying in the street bleeding and dying, his face is one that you would want to see looking down at you. He is a Lifeforce Paramedic, you know, the hospital helicopter that the news so loves to catch video bites of as they whisk away patients of tragedy, and he is a damn good medic and friend. I totally believe his testamony, and I assure you the tears were genuine. He believes his daughter. I have known Jerry my whole life, and believe that he truly believes what he has been told. We are all too quick to jump on people for bringing out Tonya's past sexual history, let's be the bigger people here, and not be so quick to slay the character of Jerry for alleged indiscretions that he may have been a part of. It doesn't change what he believes where his daughter is concerned. Thing is, that is what Tonya would want too.I think this whole mess comes with all the councelling and the suggestive forensic interviews that took place with unqualified interviewers, laughable (non)expert witnesses, a prosecution triple tag team that make the Fabulous Freebirds look like amatures, and mothers with a vendetta. Please don't be so quick to pass judgement on people, because it is what we are fighting for for Tonya. He was the father that did not want to pursue charges, and was told by prosecutors that he would be charged with obstruction if he hindered their case. This all falls back on Sandra Lamb and Sheri Wilson as far as I am concerned, and the Lamb woman is the instigator and is the pusher. Truly the wolf in Lamb clothing.Ms. Walker's testomony proved to be quite interesting to me.

It is unfortunate Mr McDonald has indiscretions....and even more unfortunate the jury will probably never know what they are. Tonya is being judged on character fabricated by jokers like Lamb and Wilson....too bad they can't know the testimony of prosecution witnesses is questionable at the very least. While Mr McDonald may believe what his daughter may have said it doesn't necessarily mean it is true. I, for one, would discredit his testimony based on his character.

I believed that Jerry was a good man too...until he told bald faced lies on the stand. I think he's beat down because he committed "prior bad acts" (isn't that what it is called when it is against Tonya?)and he goes along with what his psychotic wife says. I don't even believe he was "molested" more than did some experimenting of his own. He was old enough to fight his way out of it. NO ONE heard of that until he got married and his wife starting telling everyone all about it because of his preference for certain marital aids.

Anyway, court has broken and everyone's probably had supper...tie for the crazies to start posting now that they're out of the witness room (or away from the prosecution table - frankly, some of those posts were from someone WAY too smart to be one of the accusers. Money would be on Gregor more than Arnt, but I guess stranger things have happened)

How come the defense was able to call Walker to the stand but unable to call up the other children at the slumber party or their parents?

Walker's testimony that she was threatened by Lamb seems really powerful. Does anyone know what kind of threat was made? Also her testimony appears to demonstrate the heavy handed tactics used by the prosecution in gathering "evidence". I will be amazed if this testimony does not play heavily in favor of Tonya in the Jury's decision.

I live in Chickamauga not in the city limits but yes my boys go to school there. I am just wondering does everyone cheat on everyone in this town. I guess that I have just had my head in the sand. Maybe I just don't gossip like everyone else but from what I have read and heard in the last 3 weeks people around here all have way too much time on there hands. Guess I am to busy raising my boys.

Anon 7:30....I live in Chickamauga also, just outside the city limits. The city limits are across the street from me. My kids go to Rossville Elementary. I am not sure yet if that is a good thing. Anyway, I am not one of those people that are cheaters. So I guess there are a few of us that still have morals in Chickamauga. I guess it is reserved for those within the city limits.

Anon at 6:29 We are all too quick to jump on people for bringing out Tonya's past sexual history

So you are saying that it is relevant and was ok to do so (assuming it was true to begin with, which given the source is a big if)??? Character assassination is ok depending on who the character is?

There is absolutely no correlation between sexual orientation and child molestation. The ignorant may think otherwise based on the propaganda they have been fed, mostly by the church, since it helps further demonize the target group, but the facts simply don't back it up. As to having once seen an adult movie with a lesbian scene, give me a break - if that makes one a child molester, if truth be told there probably aren't enough prisons in GA to hold just the women from Catoosa and the surrounding counties alone that would be guilty.

Your defense of Mr. McDonald is admirable, and I mean that without sarcasm. You know him personally it seems, so naturally base your opinion on your interactions with him. The same holds true for many of Tonya Craft's supporters who know her personally. But, those of us who don't know any of the players on either side, aren't blinded or influenced by any preconceived notions either way. And from that vantage point, McDonald's testimony didn't seem to add anything at all toward something other than Tonya Craft is an innocent victim of a corrupt system.

It is my believe that if you are going to get on the stand and testify in ANY trial and talk about the character of anyone else then you open yourself up to have people talk about your character. If you don't live a perfect life don't throw the first stone. Let's face it none of us live a perfect life

It amazes me that what is happening to Tonya is "OK" character assassination (my words) yet poor Jerry cries and let's not hurt his feelings. Please... Jerry could have stood up for the truth instead of spewing more lies. What a sad existence he must live.

Anon 7:30 I live in Chickamauga outside of the city limits, and NO.. everyone does not cheat in this town! There are some of us that still have morals, and jobs and raising our family and doing nice things for others and doing things for God and doing things with our kids that keep us quite busy enough! And you don't have to gossip to hear things? sometimes things just fall in your lap....I am quite shocked about the testimony that occurred on Friday though. My kids go to school at Chickamauga and are in these childrens' classes. I think we all need to pray more for our children and the school.

My point is past indiscretions on all accounts have no more bearing for one than for the other. As for my explainion of the inconsistencies I have none... the truth is what we that support Tonya all seek. I reiterate I think she is tortally and completely innocent.

You know how when you see child molesters on tv, they sort of give you the creeps. Their eyes always just creep me out. When I was waiting to go into the court room today, Tonya and her defense team walked by. She looked at me and attempted a smile. My heart just broke for her. My 18 year old daughter looked at her and said to me "How could anyone think she is a child molester?" You could definitely see the toll that this whole thing has taken on Tonya. Once this is all over and she IS found innocent, she needs to take her kids on a long vacation on the money from the book and movie deals

This is the Northwestern Regional Crime Lab team. We serve the northwestern counties of Georgia in Toxicology, Chemistry and Medical Examiner's Office.

Don't see anything about abuse? Here's the link:http://www.team.georgia.gov/portal/site/TGC/menuitem.7eec17fffd55a22bddc2ffe4d03036a0/?vgnextoid=0c21b6d0b6c72110VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=609fb6d0b6c72110VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

If today is any indication of how the rest of this trial is going to go, I suggest the prosecution and its witnesses strap in... looks like they're in for a bumpy ride. There's not going to be much credibility or respect left for the whole lot of them, including House.

Sarah Bass Henke's facebook is a complete joke. She is just praying (as she seems to do a lot from the amount of bible references in her status's) that Tonya or one of Tonya's friends see all the moments that SHE is sharing with TONYA's children. Makes me sick to read. Some christian she is...acts like trashy whore in public being all over her husband and showers with her step daughter..weird.

Sarah Bass Henke those are not your children, you can't keep them from Tonya forever. They will grow up one day but by that time you will be nothing but a memory and wife # 6 or 7 will be attending their graduation.

Anon 10:42.... I agree that it makes me sick also. She is laying it on so thick it is disgusting. Who is she trying to convince? You would think that being a nurse she would know better than to shower with her step daughter.

What happened at the end of the day today? Did the defense witness agree with Det. Deal when she said that it would take more than the testimony of a 7 yo to instigate an arrest? I missed that part. I heard she contradicted the defense lawyer and agreed with Deal during cross examination by Arnt. Does anybody have a transcript from the last part?So, the prosecution has the testimony of the kids, the parents (the last one was VERY sympathetic and powerful- I saw him and it even broke my heart :( , the forensic investigators, and Tonya's prior homosexual history...anything else? What else could they have besides DNA or a video? Will they be able to present anything else like that, or are they done? I was told we kind of took a hit at the end of today. Is that right?

You are right Denise. Tonya doesn't look anything like a child molester! I mean she is pretty and blonde, how could anyone think she is capable of such a thing? It's neat how you looked the woman in the eye and was able to get a sense of her soul.

This article seemed to present the defense in a good position. In fact Walker's testimony seemed pretty damaging to the prosecution. I didn't detect anything in this or other coverage that indicated a hit on defense, but it would be nice to see a transcript instead of someone's interpretation of events.

Denise C...Notice how all these bible verses appear in her status's lately. She wants us to see her as the perfect christian step mother, she's not fooling me. I almost hope Tonya does not see those things because as a mother it would break my heart to see someone talking about tucking my daughter in bed at night.

I was told the cross examination of the defense witness struck a blow to the 'witch hunt' scenario. That she made it sound like there was no witch hunt. Why are they going after Tonya anyway? Don't they have enough to do already?

@ Anon 11:10 - I think the testimony of the little children, the parents, the forensic people, and Tonya's homosexuality is all the prosecution has. I don't think they can present anything else now that they rested.

I don't know, it sounded like Walker had a lot to say about how they hated Tonya and talked endless s*## about her before going after her with accusations and trying to coerce Walker into doing the same.

How on earth could the jury possibly overlook the lack of evidence, conflicting testimonies, and all the backbiting behavior of these cretins.

Psalm 34:12-13 (NIV). Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.......God reminds us that our words and the way we use our speech greatly impact the quality of life we enjoy. Nothing cuts short a vibrant life like evil speech and lies we tell. They set loose a force of deception and damage that we cannot control. This unleashed power not only damages those about whom and to whom we speak, but they eventually boomerang and come back and bring their deadly payload back into our own lives. Let's be people who speak what is right, good, wholesome, holy, true, and a blessing. (cf. Ephesians 4:20-5:12)

Her facebook says she is an oncology nurse at Parkside. I don't know how true that is given the source. Everything else on her facebook seems far fetched.

Anon 11:25 and 11:52...She is attractive, but I do want to make something perfectly clear. I in no way think that looks has anything to do with my opinion. There has been plenty of very attractive sickos. It was the way she carried herself, the pain in her eyes, and her willingness to look me in the eyes. She struck me as humble but at the same time refusing to allow this to break her. After sitting in the trial for just a few hours, I have a new respect for this woman. She sat in court, straight up and attentive. I would be totally shut down and completely useless. She is a very strong woman.

Joal Henke has not admitted anything. When asked about his divorce from Tonya, he lied to the attorney and then said he did not recall when the counsel asked him about incriminating videotapes.

As for Sarah Bass Henke, she told the court a bald-faced lie when she claimed that Tonya's daughter was being neglected, with "dirty and matted hair," and THAT was why she took showers with her. Give me a break.

These people who claim to be good Christians (Sarah Henke has all sorts of Bible verses and more at her site) not only are breaking the commandment not to give false witness, but by claiming to be followers of Christ and then lying on the stand, they also take the Lord's name in vain.

So, please stop this nonsense about them being such good people. Good people do not lie on a witness stand in order to take the life of an innocent person, and that is what they are doing, as everyone knows that if the jury convicts Tonya Craft, Brian House will sentence her effectively to life in prison.

As a stepmother myself, there is NO WAY I would ever shower with my stepchild! I have heard of mothers showering with their children when they were infants, but not then they are 5 or 6! I am sure my stepchildrens mother would be in a total outrage, which I would not blame her if this were going on at my house. I too would be in an outrage if this were happening with my child. There are boudaries stepmothers do not cross, and she has crossed them all!

Hmmm, with regards to Mrs. Sarah (lying)Bass-Henke... I wonder if that is supposed to be oncology at Parkridge Hospital. Parkside is a nursing home owned by Hutcheson, and to the best of my knowledge, they don't have oncology nurses on staff... Very strange indeed. Is she a LPN or RN?

I have seen Tonya's children on a daily basis when she still had custody of them. Believe me there is no truth to the neglect issue. They were both very well dressed in clean clothes and hair. I mean come on look how Tonya presents herself neat and clean if you think she would do less for her own children you are crazy. She has always been a great mom. Unlike little Miss Sarah Henke. Go have your own children with that monster you call a loving husband. It takes a small woman to try to pretend they are the real mother of someone else's children.

About Me

I teach economics at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. We are located on the Allegheny Plateau, and we have cool summers and tough winters.
I am the single father of five children, four of them adopted from overseas and I have two grandchildren. My family and I are members of Faith Presbyterian Church (PCA).